Methods of making microelectronic connections with liquid conductive elements

ABSTRACT

A method of making a microelectronic assembly includes providing a first element and a second element with confronting, spaced-apart interior surfaces defining a space therebetween and contacts on the interior surfaces and masses of an electrically conductive material having a melting temperature below about 125° C. in the space so that each mass is disposed between a contact on the first element and a contact on the second element and so that the masses electrically connect the contacts to one another. A flowable liquid material is then introduced around the masses and between the confronting surfaces, and the liquid material is then cured to form a compliant dielectric layer disposed between the confronting surfaces and intimately surrounding each mass.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/052,721 filed Mar. 31, 1998, now U.S. Pat No. 6,096,574 which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 08/641,698, filed on May 2, 1996 which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,874 on Sep. 15, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mounting and connection devices and techniques for use with microelectronic elements such as semiconductor chips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Complex microelectronic devices such as modern semiconductor chips require numerous connections to other electronic components. For example, a complex processor chip may require hundreds of connections to external devices.

Typically, microelectronic components such as chips are mounted on substrates such as circuit panels having electrical contacts, and the contacts on the chip are electrically connected to the contacts of the substrate. The substrate may be a circuit panel with internal circuitry connected to the contacts. The substrate may be adapted to accommodate other components, including additional chips. Also, the substrate may have pins or other connectors adapted to connect the contacts or internal circuitry of the substrate to a larger assembly, thereby connecting the chip to the larger assembly.

Connections between microelectronic elements and substrates must meet several demanding and often conflicting requirements. They must provide reliable, low-impedance electrical interconnections. They must also withstand stresses caused by thermal effects during manufacturing processes such as soldering. Other thermal effects occur during operation of the device. As the system operates, it evolves heat and the components of the system, including the chip and the substrate expand. When operation ceases, the components cool and contract. When the assembly is heated and cooled during manufacture or in operation, the chip and the substrate expand and contract at different rates, so that portions of the chip and substrate move relative to one another. Also, the chip and the substrate can warp as they are heated and cooled, causing further movement of the chip relative to the substrate. These and other effects cause repeated strain on electrical elements connecting the chip and the substrate. The interconnection system should withstand repeated thermal cycling without breakage of the electrical connections. The interconnection system should provide a compact assembly, and should be suitable for use with components having closely-spaced contacts. Moreover, the interconnection should be economical.

Various solutions have been proposed to meet these needs. In particular, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,148,265; 5,148,266; 5,455,390 and in International Publication WO 96/02068, flexible leads may be provided between the contacts on a chip or other microelectronic element and the contact pads of a substrate. According to preferred embodiments taught in these documents, a compliant layer, such as an elastomer or a gel may be provided between the chip and the substrate. Flexible leads connecting the chip and substrate may extend through the compliant layer. In these preferred arrangements, the chip is mechanically decoupled from the substrate, so that the chip and substrate can expand and move independently of one another without excessive stress on the electrical connections between the chip contacts and the contact pads of the substrate. Moreover, the assemblies disposed in these patents and publications meet the other requirements discussed above. In certain preferred embodiments according to these documents, the chip and the interconnections to the substrate can occupy an area of the substrate about the same size as the chip itself.

Nonetheless, still further improvement would be desirable. For example, it would be desirable to provide additional connection components and methods which provide effective mechanical decoupling and high resistance to thermally induced stresses, while also providing low cost and high reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing needs.

One aspect of the present invention provides microelectronic assemblies. Assemblies according to this aspect of the invention desirably include first and second microelectronic elements having contacts thereon, and further include a compliant dielectric material having cavities therein. Masses of a conductive material are disposed in the cavities so that the masses of the fusible conductive material are electrically interconnected between contacts on the first microelectronic element and contacts on the second microelectronic element. Thus, each mass forms part or all of a conductor extending between contacts on the two elements. The conductive material may be a liquid or may be a fusible material adapted to liquify at a relatively low temperature, typically below about 125° C. Preferably, the conductive material in each mass is contiguous with the compliant material and is contained by the compliant material, so that the conductive material remains in place when liquid. The compliant layer keeps the liquid masses associated with different sets of contacts separate from one another, and electrically insulates the masses from one another. The elements may have confronting surfaces bearing the contacts, and the compliant material may be in the form of a compliant layer disposed between the confronting surfaces. In this case, the masses of conductive material are also disposed between the confronting surfaces of the elements. Most preferably, the liquid masses are contiguous with contacts of one or both of the microelectronic elements, so that the liquid masses are contiguous with the microelectronic elements and contained by the microelectronic elements in conjunction with the compliant layer.

When the masses of conductive material are liquid, essentially no forces will be transmitted between the elements through the electrical conductors. Stated another way, the electrical conductors have spring constants at or close to zero and do not resist movement of the contacts on the microelectronic elements relative to one another. Preferably, the compliant dielectric layer also allows confronting portions of the microelectronic element surfaces to move relative to one another. Thus, the dielectric layer desirably is formed from a material such as an elastomer, gel, foam or other material having relatively low resistance to deformation. Preferred assemblies according to this aspect of the invention thus allow portions of the contact-bearing surfaces on the microelectronic elements to move relative to one another and thus compensate for movement and distortion. As further discussed below, the compliant connection between the microelectronic elements also helps to compensate for tolerances encountered during manufacturing. The compliant, flexible connection between the microelectronic elements can be provided even where each conductor has substantial cross-sectional area. Thus, low resistance, low impedance conductors can be utilized without impairing the flexible connection.

The conductive material desirably is liquid at temperatures within the range of temperatures encountered during normal operation of the microelectronic elements. Where the conductive material is a fusible material, it may have a melting temperature within or below the range of operating temperatures of the microelectronic elements. The fusible material may be in its solid state or in its liquid state when the assembly is inactive. During operation, the fusible material is wholly or partially liquid, and mechanical stress on the electrical connections is relieved. Moreover, when the fusible material melts, cracks or other defects in the conductive masses are repaired. Alternatively, the conductive material may be a fusible material which melts at temperatures slightly above the range of temperatures encountered during normal operation. In this case, the assembly relieves mechanical stress in the electrical connections, and repairs defects in the connections, when the assembly is exposed to high temperatures during abnormal operating conditions or during processing operations.

The first and second elements may be rigid or flexible. For example, the first element may include one or more semiconductor chips and the second element may include a rigid substrate such as a rigid circuit panel or another semiconductor chip. Alternatively, one or both of the elements may include a flexible dielectric sheet overlying a surface of the compliant layer. Each dielectric sheet has an interior surface facing toward the compliant layer and an exterior surface facing outwardly, away from the compliant layer. Each dielectric sheet has contacts on the interior surface and may also have terminals disposed on the exterior surface of the dielectric sheet electrically connected to the contacts. The exposed terminals may be bonded to a substrate to thereby electrically connect the contact pads of the substrate to the terminals and thus connect the substrate to the contacts, the liquid conductors and the opposing microelectronic element.

Other aspects of the invention provide methods of making microelectronic assemblies. A method in accordance with this aspect of the invention may include the step of providing first and second elements with confronting, spaced apart interior surfaces defining a space therebetween and contacts on the interior surfaces, together with masses of a fusible electrically conductive material as discussed above, in the space between the confronting interior surfaces so that each mass electrically connects a contact on the first element to a contact on the second element. A method according to this aspect of the invention desirably further includes the step of introducing a flowable material around the masses and between the confronting surfaces of the elements and curing the flowable material to form a compliant dielectric layer disposed between the confronting surfaces and intimately surrounding each mass of fusible material. Preferably, the masses of fusible material are maintained in a substantially solid condition while the flowable liquid material is introduced. After curing, the compliant dielectric material holds the elements together.

One or both elements may include a flexible dielectric sheet as aforesaid having an exterior surface facing away from the first element and having terminals on the exterior surface and contacts on an interior surface facing toward the other element. The method may further include the step of forcing the terminals into substantially coplanar disposition while maintaining the masses of fusible conductive material in an at least partially molten condition. Preferably, this step is performed prior to completion of cure of the flowable material, either before or after introduction of the flowable material into the space. One or both elements may include one or more semiconductor chips. For example, the first element may include a unitary wafer incorporating plural chips, whereas the second element may include a flexible sheet as discussed above. Each chip may be aligned with a portion of the sheet and the contacts on each chip may be connected by the masses of flowable conductive material to the terminals in the aligned portion of the sheet. The method according to this aspect of the invention may include the further step of severing individual portions of the sheet and wafer to form individual units, each including one or more chips and the portion of the sheet aligned therewith. The step of providing the elements and the masses may include the step of providing the masses attached to contacts on one of the elements and then juxtaposing the elements with one another and at least partially melting the masses to thereby bond the masses to the contacts on the other element. For example, where one of the elements is a wafer, the masses may be provided on the wafer, and the wafer may be juxtaposed with the opposing element, such as with a flexible sheet.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of making a microelectronic assembly may utilize a metallic plate having a plurality of masses of fusible material disposed at predetermined locations thereon. The metallic plate, with the masses thereon, may be juxtaposed with a microelectronic element, so that the masses are aligned with contacts on the microelectronic element, and the masses may be bonded to the contacts. After bonding the masses of fusible material to the contacts, a flowable material is injected between the plate and the microelectronic element and cured to form a compliant dielectric layer intimately surrounding the masses of fusible material. After the compliant dielectric layer is formed, the metallic plate is subdivided, preferably by etching the plate, to form separate portions connected to separate ones of the fusible masses. Each portion of the metallic plate may form an individual terminal assembly, mechanically decoupled from the other terminal assemblies and from the microelectronic element but electrically connected to the microelectronic element through the fusible masses.

As further discussed below, the microelectronic element may include a wafer or another large array of semiconductor chips. The array can be subdivided to form individual units, each including a chip with the associated terminal assemblies and fusible masses, together with a portion of the compliant layer. The predictable, isotropic thermal expansion properties of the metallic plate help to provide precise alignment of the fusible masses with the contacts on the microelectronic element. The step of providing the plate with the fusible masses thereon desirably includes the step of forming a layer on a first side of the plate from a material, such as a polymer, that is not wettable by the fusible material. The layer is provided with apertures in the locations where the fusible material masses are to be placed. The first side of the plate is exposed to the fusible material in molten condition so that drops of said fusible material adhere to the plate at the apertures. For example, a second side of the plate opposite from said first side may be covered by a protective coating, and the plate may be dipped into a bath of the fusible material.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides methods of operating microelectronic assemblies having first and second elements and having electrical interconnections between the elements including masses of a conductive material, the assembly also having a compliant layer surrounding the masses of conductive material. The method according to this aspect of the invention desirably includes the step of transmitting signals between the elements through the masses, and maintaining the masses in an at least partially liquid state during some portion of the operation. The compliant layer contains the liquid masses. The method may include the steps of melting the masses during operation of the assembly, as by heat generated by the assembly during operation, and freezing the masses. Typically, the method includes the step of repeating the melting and freezing steps repeatedly, each time assembly is operated. The flexible connection provides compensation for thermal expansion of the elements during these cycles of operation. Moreover, defects in the masses such as cracks caused by metal fatigue are eliminated when the masses are melted. Yet another aspect of the invention provides methods of processing assemblies as aforesaid including the step of exposing the assembly to an elevated temperature sufficient to melt the masses. Here again, the compliant material contains the liquefied conductive material so that the masses remain in position.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic sectional view depicting a stage in a manufacturing process according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view depicting a wafer utilized in the process of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view depicting a subassembly made by the process of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary sectional view depicting an assembly made using the subassembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic, sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but depicting a portion of an assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view depicting a component in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an assembly incorporating the subassembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view depicting a component in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale depicting portions of an assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11 through 14 are fragmentary diagrammatic sectional views of an assembly during successive stages in a fabrication process in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIGS. 11-14 but depicting an assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view depicting elements according to further embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view depicting elements according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a further fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view depicting elements during a process according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view depicting elements according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic sectional view depicting an assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic, partially cutaway, perspective view depicting an assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic sectional view depicting an assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view depicting an assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes as a first element a unitary semiconductor wafer 22 incorporating a large number of semiconductor chips 28 disposed side by side. The wafer has numerous contacts 24 disposed on its top or front surface 26. Each contact includes a small spot of a metal such as aluminum, gold, copper, zinc or tin. The wafer is formed in the normal fashion, with numerous semiconductor devices within each chip 28 connected to one another and to contacts 24 by internal circuitry (not shown) formed within the wafer. The wafer also has narrow strip-like regions 30, commonly referred to as “saw lanes” or “scribe streets” extending between adjacent chips 28.

The second element of the assembly includes a flexible, but substantially inextensible dielectric sheet 10 having a first surface 12 and a second surface 14. For example, sheet 10 may be a sheet of polyimide about 25 microns or less thick. Vias are formed through sheet 10 and filled with a metallic material to form solid via liners or terminal assemblies 15 extending through the sheet at predetermined locations. Each via liner defines a contact 16 at the first surface 12 of sheet 10 and a terminal 17 at the second surface of the sheet. The terminal assemblies 15 may be formed from any suitable metal which can be conveniently deposited in the vias as, for example, copper and copper alloys. Each contact 16 is provided with a layer 18 of a barrier metal on the exposed face of the contact. The barrier metal is selected to resist dissolution in the low-melting fusible metal discussed below, and to prevent diffusion of the underlying material of the contact in the fusible metal. The composition of the barrier metal will depend in part upon the composition of the fusible metal. Metals such as nickel, tungsten, titanium and their alloys normally can be used as barrier meals with typical fusible metals such as ultra-low melting solders of the types discussed below. Barrier metal 18 need only be thick enough to inhibit dissolution of the underlying metal in the contact 16. A layer of barrier metal about 1 micron thick typically is sufficient. The barrier metal desirably is wettable by the fusible metal when the fusible metal is in its liquid state. The barrier metal layer may include a plurality of metal layers of different compositions.

Terminals 17 have bonding material layers or masses 20 thereon. Essentially any conventional bonding material can be employed, including conventional solders, conductive polymers, and eutectic bonding materials, also referred to as diffusion-bonding alloys. The bonding material is selected to provide satisfactory connection to the contact pads engaged with the terminals in service, as further discussed below.

In a first step of a process according to one embodiment of the invention, masses 42 of a fusible metal such as an ultra-low melting point solder are deposited on the contacts 24 of wafer 22. This step of the process may be performed by conventional equipment and techniques commonly used to deposit solder masses on microelectronic elements. Thus, the masses may be applied individually or, by screening the fusible metal onto the surface of the wafer using a mask or screen with perforations corresponding to the contacts, and then removing the mask. The mask may be formed separately from the wafer or else may be formed in place on the top surface of the wafer by photolithographic techniques. The mask may be removed from the wafer by mechanically separating the mask and wafer or by dissolving the mask after deposition of the fusible metal. Suitable fluxes may be employed during deposition of the fusible metal on the wafer. The flux may be removed after deposition of the fusible metal. After the fusible metal has been deposited on the contacts of the wafer and the mask has been removed, the fusible metal may be briefly re-melted so as to reflow the fusible metal and bring it into even more intimate contact with the contacts of the wafer.

The melting temperature of the fusible metal desirably is within or below the normal operating temperature of the semiconductor elements in the wafer, or only slightly above the normal operating temperature range. The normal, expected range of operating temperatures of the semiconductor elements will depend upon the configuration and composition of the element, and upon the operating environment encountered in service. Typical silicon-based semiconductor elements are designed to operate at about 40° C. to about 85° C. Where the conductive material or fusible metal melts or freezes over a range of temperatures, the term “melting temperature” as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to the solidus temperature, i.e., the temperature at which the metal begins to melt (when heated slowly) or completes freezing (when cooled slowly). Preferably, the melting temperature of the fusible metal is above normal room temperature (20° C.) so that the conductive material or fusible metal can be handled conveniently in solid form during the steps discussed below. Thus, the conductive material desirably has a melting temperature of less than about 150° C., preferably less than about 125° C. and more preferably less than about 100° C. Melting temperatures below about 85° C. are more preferred, and melting temperatures below about 65° C. are even more preferred. The range of melting temperatures between about 25° C. and 65° C. is particularly preferred, and melting temperatures between about 35° C. and about 55° C. are especially preferred. However, lower melting temperatures can be employed if the production process is altered to accommodate the lower melting temperature. For example, where a conductive material which melts at a temperature below room temperature is employed, the conductive material and the adjacent parts can be kept at sub-ambient temperatures during those process steps where the conductive material must remain solid. Conversely, where the operating temperature of the microelectronic elements is higher than the typical ranges mentioned above, higher melting fusible materials can be employed.

Among the suitable low-melting point solders are the following:

COMPOSITION 1 COMPOSITION 2 ELEMENT WEIGHT % WEIGHT % Sn 18.5 10.5 Bi 45 40 Pb 24 21.5 In 10 20 Cd 9.5 8 Melting 55° C. 50° C. Temperature

Solders having compositions intermediate between the two low-melting point solders illustrated in Table 1 can be used. Other suitable low-melting solders include the solder sold under the trademark Indalloy by the Indium Corporation of America, in Clinton, N.Y. For example, Indalloy Number 8 has a melting point of about 93° C., whereas Indalloy Number 117 has a melting point of about 47° C. Still other low-melting solders include other combinations of metals selected from the group consisting of cadmium, bismuth, tin, lead and indium in various proportions, with or without other metals. Additional fusible metals include mercury and mercury containing alloys.

In the next stage of the process, the dielectric sheet or second element 10 is assembled to the wafer or first element 22 so that the first surface 12 of the sheet faces toward the front surface 26 of the wafer and these confronting surfaces define a space 46 between them. The contacts 16 of the dielectric sheet or second element are aligned with the contacts 24 of the first element and aligned with masses 42 of fusible conductive material disposed on the first element contacts. The alignment between the contacts 16 of the second element and the conductive masses 42 need not be perfect. The alignment need only be close enough that each contact 16 on the second element touches the correct conductive material mass 42 during the melting step discussed below, and so that each contact 16 on the sheet or second element does not touch any other conductive material mass 42.

Processes for aligning a sheet and a wafer are disclosed in commonly owned International Patent Publication WO 96/02068, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as well as in copending, commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/001,718, filed Jul. 31, 1995, the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein. As disclosed in these applications, sheet 10 can be stretched taut by bonding it to a ring of a material such as aluminum having a coefficient of thermal expansion higher than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the sheet and then heating the assembly. While the assembly is in this taut condition at elevated temperature, the sheet is then bonded to a frame formed from a material such as molybdenum having a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of the sheet, and the ring is removed. The assembly of the frame and the sheet can then be cooled to room temperature and the sheet will remain taut. The taut sheet can be aligned with wafer using a manually adjustable device such as a micrometer-actuated microscope stage by an operator while the operator observes the sheet and wafer under magnification. The alignment step also can be performed robotically, using generally conventional machine-vision systems. Preferably, both the dielectric sheet and the wafer are provided with fiducial marks to be used as a reference in alignment. These marks are arranged so that when the fiducial marks are aligned with one another, the contacts are also properly aligned. The sheet typically is transparent and hence the fiducial marks on the wafer can be observed through the sheet by a human operator or by a machine vision system.

While the sheet and the wafer are aligned with one another, the sheet is pressed inwardly, toward the wafer so that the exposed surfaces of the contacts on the first or inwardly facing surface 12 of sheet 10 engage the fusible conductive masses 42. This can be accomplished by placing the elements between a pair of plates 48 and 50 so that a first plate engages wafer 22 on its bottom or outwardly facing surface whereas a second plate engages sheet 14 along its top or outwardly facing surface 14, and urging plates 50 and 48 towards one another. Depending upon the configuration of terminals 17 and the bonding materials thereon, plate 50 may be provided with pockets or recesses corresponding to the terminals. The sheet may be held in engagement with plate 50 by application of vacuum through ports 52 in the plate. Alternatively, plate 50 can be provided with a resilient covering such as a foam on the surface of the plate which engages the sheet surface. In yet another alternative, a rigid stiffening plate (not shown) may be provided between plate 50 and the sheet surface. A gas or other fluid may be introduced between plate 50 and the stiffening plate so that the fluid pressure urges the stiffening plate and the sheet inwardly, towards the wafer until the stiffening plate and sheet reach a stop (not shown).

While the contacts are held in engagement with the conductive masses, the conductive masses are brought to a temperature above their melting temperature, so that the conductive material at least partially liquefies and flows into intimate engagement with the exposed surfaces of the contacts 16 on the sheet. This may be accomplished by heating the assemblage after the second element or sheet 10 has been engaged with the wafer and conductive masses. Alternatively, the wafer and the conductive masses may be at a temperature above the melting temperature of the fusible conductive material prior to engagement of the sheet. The sheet and hence the contacts 16 can also be preheated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the fusible conductive material before engagement with masses 42. In yet another alternative, only the sheet 10 and contacts 16 are at a temperature above the melting temperature of the masses, whereas the masses themselves and the wafer are at a temperature slightly below the melting temperature. In this arrangement, each mass will be only partially melted in the region adjacent the mating contact 16 on the sheet.

The molten conductive material wets the barrier metal 18 on the surfaces of contacts 16. A flux may be employed in this step as well. Any flux used in the process may be removed by flushing space 46 with a suitable solvent and removing the solvent. While the masses are in at least a partially molten condition, plate 50 holds the sheet and hence terminals in a substantially planar condition, with the exposed surfaces of the terminals on the second or outwardly facing surface 14 of the sheet in substantially coplanar alignment with one another. The plates also maintain the alignment of the contacts 16 and masses 42 in horizontal directions, parallel to the opposed surfaces 26 and 12 of the first and second elements. While the elements are aligned in this manner, the conductive masses are cooled to below their melting temperature, as by cooling the entire assemblage, including plates 50 and 48. If the fusible masses 42 were only partially melted, as where the masses were originally at below-melting temperatures and the contact 16 were at temperatures above the melting temperature, the partially melted portion of the masses can be cooled by heat transfer to the remaining portions of the mass.

After the masses have been completely frozen, a flowable, preferably liquid material is injected into space 46 between confronting surfaces 12 and 26 so that the flowable material fills the space and intimately surrounds masses 42 and the adjacent surfaces of contacts 16 and 24. The flowable material also intimately contacts the inwardly facing surfaces 12 and 26 of the sheet and wafer. During injection of the flowable material, the contact 16 and sheet 10 are maintained in substantially planar disposition, and the contacts are maintained in alignment with masses 42. Alignment and planarity can be maintained by adhesion between the frozen masses 42 and contacts 16, without external fixturing at this stage. Preferably, however, plates 48 and 50 of the fixture used during the melting and freezing steps discussed above remain in place. Alternatively, the assemblage of the wafer can be removed from this fixture after freezing and placed into another, similar fixture prior to injection of the flowable material. In either case, the fixtures will help to maintain the coplanarity and alignment during injection of the flowable material.

After space 46 has been completely filled by the flowable material, the flowable material is cured to form a compliant resilient layer 54 occupying space 46 and intimately surrounding the conductive material masses and contacts. The compliant layer, after curing, should have some resistance to deformation. The compliant layer may be a solid or a gel. The compliant layer may incorporate voids, and indeed may take the form of a solid or gel foam. However, the compliant layer should form substantially continuous surfaces surrounding the conductive material masses 42. Preferably, the compliant material has an elastic modulus less than about 100,000 pounds per square inch, and still lower values of elastic modulus are more preferred. The compliant layer desirably has relatively low resistance to shear between opposed surfaces 12 and 26. Preferably, the compliant layer is between about 50 and 250 microns thick. The compliant layer desirably has a low spring constant per unit area when stressed in shear between opposing surfaces 12 and 26 The compliant layer desirably also has a relatively low spring constant with respect to displacement of surfaces 12 and 26 towards and away from one another. The compliant layer 54 desirably remains soft and cohesive over a range of temperatures encompassing at least the range from the melting temperature of the fusible conductor material 42 to above the normal operating temperatures of the chips 28 constituting the wafer. The compliant layer desirably retains these properties from about 20° C. or below to about 45° C. or higher. Preferably, the compliant layer retains properties in the aforesaid ranges from about 0° C. or below to about 60° C. or above. Most preferably, the compliant layer retains the desired properties from about −65° C. or below to about 150° C. or above.

The flowable material used to form layer 54 should be capable of flowing, prior to cure, at temperatures below the melting temperature of the fusible conductive material in masses 42. To assure complete filling of space 46 by the flowable material, the flowable material may be injected under pressure. Also, space 46 may be evacuated prior to injection of the flowable material. Techniques for evacuation of a space between a flexible sheet and wafer and for injection of flowable, curable materials into such a space are further disclosed in the aforementioned International Patent Publication 96/02068 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/001,718. Suitable flowable materials for forming the compliant layer include polymer compositions which are initially in the form of liquids but which cure by chemical reaction of their ingredients to form a solid or gel. Among the compositions that can be used are silicones, epoxies and urethanes. Particularly suitable compositions include silicone gels of the type sold under the designation Sylgard 577 Curable Silicone Gel by the Dow-Corning Corporation of Midland, Mich. Other suitable silicon gels are available from the Shin-etsu Corporation and from the General Electric Corporation of Schenectady, N.Y. The reaction-curable material may be provided as two mutually reactive components which are mixed immediately prior to introduction of the material into space 46 and which react spontaneously with one another at ambient temperature. Other reactive polymer compositions can be activated by application of ultraviolet light. The curing step can also be initiated or accelerated by heating the reactive polymer composition. Some or all of the curing step may entail temperatures above the melting temperature of the fusible material in masses 42. In this case, it is desirable to maintain alignment of the elements, and maintain planarity of the contact 16 on the sheet by holding the assemblage in a fixture during at least the elevated temperature portions of the curing step.

After curing to form the compliant layer, wafer 22, sheet 10 and the compliant layer 54 are severed by cutting along saw lanes 30, using a saw of the type commonly used for dicing wafers. This subdivides the assemblage into individual units 58 (FIG. 3). Each unit includes one chip 28 as well as a portion of compliant layer 54 overlying the chip and a portion of sheet 10 overlying the chip. Each unit has terminals 17 with exposed bonding material 20 on the side of sheet 10 facing away from the chip, and each unit has its contact 16 connected to the corresponding contacts of the chip by fusible bonding material masses 42. These units can be handled and placed like other surface- mountable electronic devices. As seen in FIG. 4, unit 58 can be placed on a substrate 60. Substrate 60 has internal electrical circuitry 62 and contact pads 64 connected to such circuitry and disposed on a surface of the substrate. The outwardly facing second surface 14 of flexible layer or second element 10 is juxtaposed with the surface of the substrate, so that the exposed surfaces of terminal 17 and bonding material 20 are engaged with contact pads 64. In this condition, the assembled parts are brought to an elevated temperature so as to activate the bonding material 20 and bond terminals 17 to contact pads 64 on the substrate. During this elevated-temperature bonding process, the fusible conductive material in masses 42 melts. However, the fusible conductive material of each mass is contained by the surrounding compliant layer, as well as by the first element or chip 28 and the second element or flexible sheet 10 and the contacts on these elements. Therefore, the fusible conductive material remains in position and maintains electrical continuity between contact 16 and contact 24 on the chip. While unit 58 is in this condition, contacts 16 and terminals 17 can be displaced readily relative to chip 28. For example, if the contact pads on substrate 60 are out of plane, or if substrate 60 is tilted out of parallelism with chip 28, all terminals 17 can still be brought into engagement with contact pads 64 without applying destructive forces to the unit. After bonding, the assembly can be cooled, whereupon the flowable material in masses 42 will freeze.

Typically, substrate 60 incorporates additional electronic components, such as additional semiconductor chips and other components electrically interconnected with chip 28 through the conductors 62 and contact pads 64 of the substrate and through terminals 17, contacts 16 and fusible material masses 42. Alternatively or additionally, substrate 60 may include further connectors such as contact pads 66 or other devices such as sockets, pins for engagement in sockets, wires or other conventional interconnection devices for connecting circuitry 62 of substrate 60 with a still larger circuit. The assembly is quite compact; each unit 58 occupies an area on the surface of substrate 60 about the same size as the area of chip 42 itself.

The assembly may be incorporated in an electronic device such as a computer, a communications device, or an electronic device associated with a non-electronic machine such as an automobile or an industrial machine. During use of the device, electrical signals pass through the substrate and chip via the contacts and flowable material masses. Electrical power is converted to heat in the device, principally in semiconductor chip 28 and in other electronic elements of the device. The heat raises the temperature of the chip and the surrounding elements. As the temperature of the device rises, conductive material masses 42 melt. Once again, the liquid conductive material is contained by the surrounding elements of the structure, including compliant layer 54, chip or first element 28 and the flexible layer or second element 10 and the contacts 16 and 24 on those elements.

As the assembly is heated, each contact 24 on the chip typically moves with respect to the corresponding contact 16 of the flexible or second element. Thus, as the temperature of the chip rises, the chip 28 tends to expand, thereby moving contacts 24 relative to the contact pads 64 of the substrate. For example, where the chip and substrate are formed from materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion, the contacts on the chip will move relative to the contact pads of the substrate as the entire assembly is heated. Even where the coefficients of thermal expansion are the same, differential movement will occur if the temperature of the chip rises or falls at a different rate than the temperature of the substrate. Also, the chip, the substrate or both can warp as they undergo thermal expansion and contraction. Because terminals 17 on the flexible element or second element 10 are bonded to the contact pads 64 of the substrate, contacts 16 will also move relative to the contacts 24 of the chip. However, while the flowable conductive material in each mass 42 is at least partially liquid, the conductive material masses have essentially no resistance to deformation. The only mechanical interconnection between the first element or chip 28 and the second element or flexible layer 10, and hence the only mechanical interconnection between the chip and substrate 60, is provided by the compliant layer 54. This compliant layer can accommodate substantial movement of the chip surface relative to the surface of the second element or layer 10 without applying high forces between these elements. Accordingly, relative movement of the chip contacts 24 and substrate contact pads 64 do not apply appreciable forces at the bonds between the terminals 17 of the second element and the contact pads 64 of the substrate. These bonds are not subject to thermally-induced fatigue as the system operates. Because masses 42 are liquid, they are not subject to fatigue during operation at normal operating temperatures.

When power to the system is turned off, the device cools and the conductive material and masses 42 may freeze again. The cycle of melting and freezing may be repeated numerous times during the service life of the device. Defects which may occur in masses 42 are automatically repaired when the masses melt and freeze. Alternatively, where the device is stored in a relatively warm environment, the conductive material and the masses 42 may remain liquid indefinitely. The metal in barrier layer 18 of contact 16 is selected to prevent dissolution of the base metal of the contact into the molten conductive material. Similarly, the contacts 24 of the chip are formed from metals which will not dissolve in the conductive material. This assures that the composition of the conductive material will remain essentially unchanged and hence its melting temperature will not vary during continued use of the device. Compliant layer 54 protects the flowable conductor material from contamination and helps to assure reliability of the device. Additional packaging may be provided around the chip and substrate. For example, the chip and substrate may be encapsulated in a flexible encapsulant. The encapsulant may also penetrate between layer 10 and substrate 60. Other conventional packaging elements, such as metallic shields or “cans”, heat spreaders and the like may be included in the assembly.

In a variant of the assembly process discussed above, the finished unit 58 may be tested by engaging it with a test substrate so as to engage the exposed surface of each terminal 17 with a contact on the test substrate and then operating chip 28 by applying signals through the terminals. Prior to or during such engagement, unit 58 is heated to a temperature high enough to melt the conductive material in masses 42, but not high enough to activate the bonding material 20 on the contacts. This allows the compliant layer 54 and masses 42 to deform and hence allows the terminal 17 on the exposed surface of the unit to engage the contacts of the test substrate even where the test substrate and/or terminals 17 are not precisely coplanar.

An assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention (FIG. 5) includes a substantially rigid first element such as a chip 128 with contacts 124 on a front surface 126, and also includes a substantially rigid second element such as a substrate 160 with contacts 164 on an exposed surface. The contact-bearing surface 126 of the chip overlies the contact-bearing surface of the substrate. Here again, masses of a fusible conductive material 142 are disposed between contacts 124 and contacts 164. Masses 142 are surrounded by a compliant layer 154 substantially filling the space between the confronting surfaces of the first and second elements and intimately surrounding masses 142. In this embodiment as well, the contacts are provided with barrier layers to avoid dissolution of the contact metals in the fusible conductive material. Structures according to this embodiment may be fabricated by assembling the first and second elements with the fusible conductive material masses, momentarily melting the masses by heating the assembly and then freezing the masses. These steps may be performed using techniques similar to those used in the so-called controlled collapse chip connection technique, commonly referred to as “C4” bonding. C4 bonding is described in detail in Multi-Chip Module Technologies and Alternatives-the Basics, Doane and Franzon, eds; 1993, pp. 450-476 and 434-446, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. However, the steps of C4 bonding involving melting of the solder typically would be performed at a far lower temperature in preferred embodiments according to this aspect of the invention than in conventional C4 bonding processes employing ordinary solder. After joining the chip and substrate by C4 bonding, compliant layer 154 is formed by injecting a flowable liquid material as an encapsulant into the space between the confronting surfaces of the chip and substrate and curing the flowable liquid to form a solid, gel or form as discussed above. Assemblies according to this aspect of the present invention provide benefits similar to those discussed above. Once again, at operating temperature, the chip is mechanically connected to the substrate only through the compliant layer 154. Masses 142 are molten and hence provide essentially no resistance to relative movement between the chip and substrate contacts or between the chip or the substrate as a whole. By contrast, in conventional assemblies fabricated by C4 processing, the solder joints remain solid at operating temperature and are subjected to fatigue stresses during thermal cycling.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a further embodiment of the invention provides a connection component 200 including a compliant layer 254 with a first surface 253 and a second surface 255. Holes or cavities 243 extend through the compliant layer. A mass 242 of a fusible conductive material is disposed within each hole or cavity 243. A connection component according to this aspect of the invention, can be fabricated by procedures similar to those discussed above. However, in this instance the first element 210 and second element 222 are both held in a taut condition and aligned with one another with fusible conductive material masses 242 disposed therebetween. Once again, after the conductive material has been reflowed into contact with contacts 258 and 262, it is frozen and the liquid material is injected and cured to form compliant layer 254. Connection components according to this aspect of the invention can be used for interconnecting other microelectronic elements such as a chip and a substrate. Thus, the component can be placed between confronting surfaces of an element such as a chip 280 and another element such as a substrate 282 (FIG. 7) so that first terminals 260 face the contacts of chip 280 whereas second terminals 261 face the contacts of substrate 282. The assemblage is heated to a temperature sufficient to activate the solder or bonding materials 263, 264 on the terminals, thereby fusing the terminals to the contacts of the chip and substrate. During this step, the fusible conductive material 242 melts, but is retained in position by compliant layer 254. The compliant layer can bend and compress locally as required during this bonding process, to assure good engagement between terminals 260 and 261 and the contacts of the chip and substrate. After completion of the bonding process, first terminals 260 and hence contacts 258 are fixed to the chip, whereas second terminals 261 and the associated contacts 262 are fixed to the substrate. A further encapsulant (not shown) may be introduced between sheet 222 and chip 280, and between sheet 222 and the substrate, to fill voids in these regions. In use, fusible material 242 melts and allows contacts 258, fixed to the chip, to move relative to contacts 262 on the substrate.

As shown in FIG. 8, a simpler connection component includes a compliant layer 354 having oppositely directed first and second surfaces 353, 355. The compliant layer defines holes or cavities 343 extending between these surfaces. Masses 342 of a flowable conductive material are disposed within cavities 343. Each such mass has an exposed portion 352 at the first surface and a similar exposed portion 354 at the second surface. Components according to this embodiment of the invention can be fabricated by a variety of processes. Thus, the compliant layer 354 can be injection molded to form cavities 343 and then filled with the flowable conductive material. To facilitate such filling, the interior surfaces of holes 343 may be treated to improve wettability of the compliant material by the conductive material, as by electroless plating of the interior surfaces of the holes. Alternatively, the masses 342 can be placed into a mold and a liquid material may be introduced into the mold and solidified around the masses in the manner discussed above. Components according to FIG. 8 can also be used to interconnect opposed elements. Once the component is assembled with the opposed elements, the contacts on the opposed elements bear on the flowable conductive material masses and help to contain the masses within holes 343. The resulting assembly has a configuration similar to the assembly of FIG. 5, in that the fusible conductive material bears directly on the contacts of the elements such as a chip and a substrate, and the surfaces of compliant layer 354 bear directly on these elements. To assure a void-free interface between layer 354 and the mating elements, an adhesive may be provided on the mating elements, or on one or both surfaces 353,355 of the compliant layer itself. Alternatively or additionally, compliant layer 354 itself may be arranged to adhere to the surfaces of the mating elements. For example, compliant layer 354 may be formed as a partially cured or “B-stage” material. When the component is engaged between mating elements and heated to melt masses 342, the partially cured material fully cures and bonds with the surfaces of the mating elements.

Further embodiments, not shown in the drawings, can incorporate combinations of the features discussed above. For example, a component as depicted in FIG. 8 may include terminal assemblies as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 on one or both sides of the compliant layer without the flexible sheets 210, 222, or with such a flexible sheet on only one side.

One consideration in design is the effect of alpha radiation emitted by the conductive materials. Alpha radiation is known to damage the electronic components incorporated in semiconductor chips and to cause momentary errors in operation of such components. Fusible conductive materials which contain heavy metals typically contain small amounts of radioactive isotopes which emit alpha particles. Several measures may be taken to control the effects of alpha radiation on the underlying chip. One such approach is to limit the amount of alpha particle radiation emitted by controlling the radioactive isotope content of the flowable conductive material. Alternatively or additionally, the physical configuration of the contacts and fusible material masses may be selected to limit the effects of alpha radiation. Ordinarily, the contacts themselves provide effective shielding against alpha radiation. Alpha particles normally cannot pass directly through a metallic contact into the underlying electronic components of the chip. For example, the alpha radiation emitted by fusible material mass 442 a normally cannot pass directly through contact 424 a. Any deleterious effects of alpha radiation on the chip are caused by alpha particles passing around the edges of the contact along paths such as path 443. Simply increasing the thickness of contact 424 a limits the effect of such alpha radiation. Because the fusible material mass 442 a is spaced at a substantial distance above the surface of chip 428, alpha particles passing along path 443 and along other paths around the periphery of contact 424 a must pass through a substantial thickness of compliant material in layer 454, the compliant material absorbs most of the alpha radiation. Alternatively or additionally, the contact may have a larger diameter than the fusible material mass. For example, contact 424 b has a diameter D_(c) substantially larger than the diameter D_(m) of mass 442 b at the juncture of the mass and contact. This assures that any alpha radiation passing around the periphery of the contact will pass along a path 443 b at a relatively low angle to the chip surface. Here again, the length of a straight path from the conductive mass to the chip surface is markedly increased. To assure that the conductive mass remains at or near the center of contact 424 b, the contact is provided with a ring of a material which is not wettable by the fusible conductive material. Alternatively, the contact or the barrier metal at the surface of the contact adjacent the flowable mass may be non-wettable by the fusible material. A small spot adjacent to center of the contact may be plated with a metal which is wettable by the fusible material. Also, the mass 442 b is tapered inwardly towards its central axis in the vertical direction upwardly, away from the contact 424 b. This further assures a long path length from the mass surface to the chip surface. Such tapered masses can be produced by processes such as that discussed above with reference to FIG. 8. Also, the masses can be tapered by techniques commonly used in the C4 bonding art, as by momentarily moving chip 428 away from the mating element 410 while the flowable conductive material is in a molten state.

As shown in FIG. 10, an assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention includes a chip or first element 522 and a second element 510 including a flexible multilayer sheet. Sheet 510 has contacts 516 on a first side facing inwardly, toward the chip or first element, and has terminals 517 on the opposite, outwardly-facing side. As in the embodiments discussed above, contacts 516 are disposed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of contacts 524 on the chip. Terminals 517 are not integral with contacts 516. Instead, the terminals are distributed on the outwardly-facing side of sheet 510 in an array different from the pattern of contacts 516. In the depicted embodiment, terminals 517 occupy a larger area of the sheet than contacts 516. Terminals 517 are connected to contacts 516 by leads 519 extending within sheet 510. Sheet 510 may be a multilayer structure, with the leads disposed between layers. The assembly further includes additional electrical elements 580 mounted to sheet 510 and electrically connected to leads 519, so that the additional elements are connected between some of contacts 516 and terminals 517. The additional elements may include any circuit element, but most typically include capacitors. The capacitors typically are connected to the terminals and contacts which form the power and ground connections to the chip. As in the arrangements discussed above, the electrical contacts 524 of the first element or chip 522 are connected to the contacts 516 by fusible, electrically-conductive masses 542.

The assembly further includes a package element adapted to physically support and protect the chip and additional electrical elements. The package element is depicted schematically as a heat sink 584 defining a back wall and a separate ring 586 surrounding the chip and additional circuit elements. Heat sink 582 thus forms a back wall of the package, whereas ring 586 forms side walls. Flexible sheet 510 extends across the front of the package, and overlies ring 586. Ring 586 and heat sink 582 can also be formed integrally with one another to provide a unitary shell. The back wall or heat sink 584 has a region 592 confronting the rear surface 590 of the chip. A thermally conductive adhesive 594 forms a bond between the rear surface 590 of the chip and region 592 of heat sink 584, and provides enhanced thermal conductance between the rear surface 590 and the heat sink or back wall. Other devices for providing enhanced thermal conductance may be used. For example, arrangements of flexible thermal conductors as taught in copending, commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/342,222, filed Nov. 18, 1994, the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein, may be employed between the chip and the heat sink.

As in the embodiments discussed above, the electrically-conductive masses 542 disposed between the contacts are intimately surrounded by a layer of a compliant material 554. The compliant material layer may be formed integrally with encapsulant filling the space cooperatively enclosed by the package elements 584 and 586 and sheet 510. In fabrication of the assembly, chip 522 , sheet 510 and fusible masses 542 may be assembled as discussed above, and additional circuit elements 580 may be assembled to the sheet. A first portion of the encapsulant may be introduced into the space between the chip and sheet and cured to form compliant layer 554 while leaving rear surface 590 exposed. After this step, thermal adhesive 594 and heat sink 582 may be added. The reverse process may also be employed, in which the chip is assembled to the heat sink and thermal adhesive 594 is added, followed by assembly of sheet 510 and masses 542 and formation of layer 554.

The assembly can be handled and mounted using ordinary surface-mounting techniques. Here again, terminals 517 on sheet 510 are bonded to contact pads 564 of a substrate 568 to form the electrical connections between the chip 522 and other components. During the surface mounting procedure, the assembly may be exposed to temperatures in excess of the melting temperature of the conductive material in masses 642. The masses melt, but the resulting liquid masses are contained by the compliant dielectric material in layer 554. The masses freeze again after the surface mounting procedure. The assembly may also be exposed to high temperatures during other manufacturing procedures, such as during soldering of substrate 568 to other components; during high-temperature encapsulation processes such as molding or high-temperature curing of an encapsulant around the assembly; or during testing, storage or shipment. During each such high-temperature exposure, masses 542 melt and allow movement of terminals 517 relative to the chip. During operation of the completed device including the assembly, as the device heats to normal operating temperature, masses 542 will melt, but will remain in place to provide a stress-free electrical interconnection as discussed above.

A process according to a further embodiment utilizes a plate 602 of a metal, preferably copper or a copper alloy. The plate is large enough to cover an entire wafer; only a small portion of the plate is seen in FIG. 11. A first surface of the plate is covered by a first resist layer 604 with apertures 606 disposed in locations corresponding to the locations of contacts on a wafer. The locations and sizes of apertures 606 can be controlled precisely using conventional photographic techniques for forming resist patterns. The second surface of the plate is covered by a uniform layer of a resist 608. Spots 610 of a barrier metal are then applied on the first surface of the plate in apertures 606. After the barrier metal is applied, the plate is then exposed to the fusible material in molten form, as by dipping the plate into the molten material; by passing the plate through a flowing curtain or shower of the molten material; or by exposing the first surface of the plate to a wave of molten material using conventional wave-soldering equipment. The dipping procedure is preferred. Because the molten material does not wet the resists and does wet barrier metal 610, a drop 612 of molten material will cling to the plate at each aperture 606 after the plate is withdrawn from the molten material. The drops freeze to form fusible material masses. Numerous masses can be formed simultaneously at extremely low cost; there is no need for controlled application of the molten material.

In the next stage of the process, resists 604 and 608 are stripped using conventional removal techniques. Plate 602, with masses 612 on it, is heated to a temperature sufficient to remelt fusible material 612 and assembled to a wafer 622. The plate is aligned with the wafer so that each mass 612 is aligned with a contact 624 on the surface of the wafer. The fusible material bonds with the contacts of the wafer. After the bonds have formed, the assembly is cooled to below the melting temperature of the fusible material, thereby refreezing masses 612.

Because plate 602 is metallic, its thermal expansion properties are quite uniform and isotropic. The distances between the masses vary in a predictable manner with the temperature of the plate. Moreover, the metal plate resists stretching and compression in directions parallel to its surfaces. These factors greatly facilitate precise alignment of masses 612 with contacts 624. During assembly with the wafer, plate 602 can be supported and engaged with the wafer by a press plate, similar to the press plates 50 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1, which supports plate 602 over substantially its entire surface and reinforces plate 602 against bending. However, where plate 602 is thick enough to resist bending, it can be handled and assembled to the wafer using other equipment which does not support the plate over its surface.

After masses 612 have frozen, a curable material is injected between plate 602 and wafer 622 and cured to form a compliant material layer 626 intimately surrounding masses 612. After curing of the compliant material, an etch-resistant metal such as gold, is applied in spots 628 (FIG. 13) aligned with masses 612. The etch-resistant metal can be applied using conventional plating techniques with a conventional photoresist (not shown). After the photoresist is stripped, plate 602 is exposed to an etchant, such as an acid, which removes the plate except in the regions 630 protected by spots 628. During the plating, resist-stripping and etching steps, wafer 622 is protected from chemical contamination by the overlying compliant layer 626.

The etching process thus subdivides the plate into separate regions 630, leaving each region attached to a mass of fusible material 612. Each region 630, with the overlying metal spot 628, forms a separate terminal assembly 632, mechanically decoupled from the other terminal assemblies. A further bonding material 634 may be applied on the terminal assemblies, and the wafer may be severed to form individual units, each including one chip and the associated terminal assemblies and fusible masses, together with a portion of the compliant layer. The finished unit thus has a microelectronic element 622; a layer 626 of a compliant material overlying the microelectronic element, and terminal assemblies 632 disposed on the side of layer 626 opposite from the microelectronic element. Each terminal assembly is connected to a contact 624 on the microelectronic element by a fusible mass 612. The units may be handled, tested and bonded to substrates in the same manner as the units 58 discussed above with reference to FIG. 3.

In a variant of this process, the patterned resist 604 (FIG. 11) is replaced by a flexible dielectric sheet 650 (FIG. 15) defining the same pattern of apertures. Sheet 650 may be formed from a polymeric material such as a polyimide. The sheet may be formed in situ on the surface of the metal plate, as by coating the surface with a liquid precursor and curing the coating to form the sheet. The polymeric sheet may be provided with the apertures by selectively etching or ablating the sheet using processes which do not substantially affect the underlying metal plate. The remaining steps of the process are conducted in substantially the same way as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 11-14, except that sheet 650 is not removed. Thus, sheet 650 remains during and after the etching process to provide additional protection to the wafer. During the severing step, sheet 650 is severed along with the compliant layer 626.

A great variety of terminal shapes and types may be provided using the processes discussed above. The etching step used to subdivide the metallic plate may form numerous posts 655 (FIG. 16), each constituting a single terminal assembly associated with one fusible metal mass 612. The techniques used for forming posts disclosed in copending, commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/366,236, filed Dec. 29, 1994, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. As set forth in said '236 application, a continuous metallic plate can be formed into a plurality of posts by applying a photoresist to the exposed surface of the plate and selectively treating the photoresist to leave a pattern of spots covered by etch-resistant regions, and then exposing the surface to an etchant. As also described in the '236 application, a microelectronic assembly having an array of such posts can be engaged with a mating unit having sockets adapted to engage the posts.

A different form of terminal assembly, also illustrated in FIG. 16, has a solid-core solder ball including a core 660 formed from a high-melting, highly conductive metal such as copper, surrounded by a layer 662 of a solder overlying a region 630 formed by severing the sheet. Another form of terminal assembly has a masse of conventional solder 668 overlying each region 630. Yet another terminal assembly has a metal bump 670 formed from gold, copper or other solderable metal on each region. As will be appreciated, the various types of terminal assemblies illustrated in FIG. 16 normally are not found in a single unit; they are illustrated together for ease of comparison.

In the embodiments of FIG. 16, the terminal assemblies on dielectric sheet or element are disposed on the side of the sheet facing away from the opposite element or chip 622. However, each terminal assembly defines a contact surface, covered by barrier metal spot 610, facing toward the opposite element or chip 622 and exposed through an aperture 651 in sheet 650. Thus, each fusible mass extends through an aperture in the sheet to the contact surface of the associated terminal assembly. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, one element is a multilayer dielectric sheet 700 with conductors 702 and potential planes 704 disposed in and on the sheet. Each terminal assembly includes a metallic via liner 706 extending through the sheet and defining a contact surface on the side of the sheet facing toward the opposite element 722. Each via liner defines a terminal 708 on the surface facing away from the opposite element, and a bonding material 710 may be provided on such terminal surface. The contacts and terminals discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-4 may have the configuration illustrated in FIG. 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, it may be desirable to form liquid material masses by applying a first mass 800 in contact with the terminal assembly or contact 802 of one element; applying a second mass 804 in contact with the terminal assembly or contact 806 of the opposite element, and then merging these masses with one another by bringing the elements towards one another while the masses are both molten. Masses 800 and 804 can be applied to the individual elements while the surfaces of the elements remain open and accessible. Thus, fluxes may be applied to facilitate wetting of the contacts by masses 800 and 804, and can be removed readily by rinsing. Once masses 800 and 804 have wet their respective contacts, they can be readily united with one another; the fusible material will merge with itself without difficulty. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the fusible materials on each element may be surrounded by partially cured compliant material layers 810, 812 on each element, and these layers may be united with one another when the elements are brought together, so as to form the compliant material layer surrounding the united fusible masses. Alternatively, the compliant layer may be formed in place between the elements, in the manner described above, after uniting the fusible material masses and freezing them.

As shown in FIG. 19, there need not be one-to-one association between the fusible masses and the terminal assemblies or contacts. Thus, a large terminal assembly or contact 904 on one element may be connected to several fusible masses 912. Conversely, a large mass 914 may be connected to several terminal assemblies 905. Thus, each mass may be associated with one or more contacts or terminal assemblies on each element, and each terminal assembly or contact may be associated with one or more fusible masses.

An assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention (FIG.20 ) includes a chip 1022 connected to the substrate 1068 through fusible material masses 1042 which are again surrounded by a compliant material 1054. Thermal insulation 1070 may be provided around the assembly, particularly in the areas adjacent the fusible masses, so as to assure that the fusible masses reach their melting temperature when the chip is in operation.

As will be readily appreciated in light of the foregoing discussion, numerous variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the present invention. For example, fusible conductive materials other than metals can be employed. These include aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes. Low-melting conductive compositions including polymeric materials can also be employed. Moreover, the fusible conductive material need not be uniform in composition and need not be entirely molten even at the operating temperature of the device. For example, the fusible conductive material may include particles of a first conductive material such as copper, silver or graphite having a high melting temperature dispersed in a second conductive material, such as a low-melting solder or an electrolyte, having a lower melting temperature. At the operating temperature of the device, the second conductive material is liquid but the first conductive material remains solid, so that the fusible material as a whole is in the form of a conductive slurry. As used in this disclosure, the term “liquid” should be understood as including a slurry unless otherwise specified. The first and second conductive materials should be insoluble in one another and non-reactive with one another. The particles of the first conductive material can be plated or otherwise coated with a barrier material as discussed above to inhibit solution and reaction between the particles and the second conductive material.

In the embodiments discussed above, the fusible material melts during normal operation of the assembly. In a further variant of the invention, the melting temperature of the fusible material is above the normal operating temperature of the microelectronic elements, but below the temperatures encountered by the assembly during manufacturing, storage or shipment. In this variant, the fusible material acts to limit stress applied to the electrical connections due to high temperature exposure in processing steps such as manufacturing, storage or shipment. Indeed, the assemlby may be deliberately heated so as to melt the fusible material and thus repair any defects in the masses. Where the assembly is part of a larger device such as a multichip module or circuit board, the melting temperature of the fusible material desirably is below the maximum temperature which can be tolerated by the remainder of the device, so that the assembly can be repaired by heating without removing it from the remainder of the device.

According to further variants of the invention, the elements which are electrically connected to one another need not have confronting surfaces, and the masses of liquid or fusible material need not be physically disposed between the elements. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, a microelectronic element such as a semiconductor chip 1122 may be provided with beam leads 1125 connected to the contacts 1124 of the chip. The beam leads project outwardly away from the chip. An outboard end of each beam lead, remote from the chip, is embedded in a mass 1142 of a fusible conductive material as discussed above, and electrically connected through such mass to a contact 1164 on a substrate 1168. Thus, each beam lead is electrically connected in series with a mass of the fusible conductive material to form an electrical interconnection between the chip and substrate. The beam leads and fusible masses are covered by a mass of soft, compliant dielectric encapsulant 1154 which intimately surrounds and protects the fusible masses. In this embodiment as well, the contacts 1124 of the chip or first element 1122 are electrically connected to the contacts 1164 of the substrate or second element 1168. When the assembly is exposed to high temperatures, the fusible material melts, allowing beam leads 1125 to move relative to the substrate. This action relieves stress on the beam leads and on the connections between the beam leads and the contacts 1124 of the first element. Here again, the surrounding compliant dielectric material 1154 contains the liquid masses 1124 and maintains them electrically isolated from one another. Other physical configurations may be used, provided that the contacts of the elements are electrically connected to one another through masses of liquid or fusible material, and provided that the fusible masses are contained by the surrounding compliant dielectric material. For example, the fusible masses may be used in conjunction with flexible leads as taught in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,148,265; 5,148,266; 5,455,390 and International Publication WO 96/02068, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Indeed, a fusible material as referred to herein may serve as a bonding material for connecting the flexible leads as taught in these documents to a microelectronic element.

An assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention provides a chip package including a rigid panel 1210 such as a conventional fiber reinforced epoxy panel of the type commonly referred to as a “FR-4” circuit board or a ceramic circuit panel; a chip 1222 disposed above the panel and a combined thermal spreader and protective shield 1282 formed from a metal or a metal compound such as aluminum nitride disposed above the chip. The chip contacts 1224 are electrically connected to panel contacts 1216 by masses of fusible electrically conductive material 1242 in the manner discussed above. The masses of fusible material are surrounded by a compliant material 1254 forming a layer between the chip and panel. Further portions 1255 of the compliant material fill the space around the chip, between the shield 1282 and the panel 1210. Panel contacts 1216, and hence the chip contacts, are electrically connected to terminals 1228 by leads on the panel (not shown). Terminals 1228 include solder balls for mounting the packaged chip to a larger circuit panel.

Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a connector (FIG. 23) similar to that discussed above with reference to FIG. 8 having terminal assemblies similar to those discussed above with reference to FIGS. 14-17 on both surfaces. The connector thus includes a layer 1354 of compliant material having first terminal assemblies 1332 on a first surface. Each first terminal assembly defines a contact surface 1310 facing toward the compliant layer and a terminal 1328 facing away from the compliant layer. Similarly, second terminal assemblies 1333 on the second surface of layer 1354 define contact surfaces 1311 facing toward the compliant layer and terminals 1329 facing away from the compliant layer. Masses 1342 of fusible material extend between the contact surfaces and electrically interconnect each first terminal with a second terminal. A connector of this type may be connected between a pair of microelectronic elements to provide an assembly as discussed above. The connector can be fabricated by a process as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 12-15, utilizing two metallic plates. The fusible masses are provided between the metallic plates, followed by formation of the compliant layer between the plates. After the compliant layer is formed, both metallic plates are subdivided, as by etching, to form the separate terminal assemblies.

As these and other variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be employed, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of the invention as defined by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a microelectronic assembly having first and second elements and having masses of a conductive material electrically interconnecting said elements and having a compliant material surrounding the masses, the method including the step of transmitting signals between said elements through said masses, said masses being in an at least partially liquid state at least some times during operation of the assembly, said compliant layer physically containing said liquid masses.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signals are transmitted through said masses while said masses are in said at least partially liquid state.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said masses are in a solid state at least some times during operation of the assembly, the method further comprising the step of melting said masses during operation of the assembly.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said assembly generates heat during operation, and wherein said masses are melted by the heat generated in said assembly.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising the step of freezing said masses.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said melting and freezing steps are performed repeatedly.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said masses have a melting temperature below about 125° C.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein first element comprises one or more semiconductor chips.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said second element comprises a dielectric sheet. 